38 – The Black Count
Königsberg Prison Camp, Eastern Prussia, German Empire.
There were countless Russian prisoners of war captured throughout Eastern Prussia. Even now, the procession of Russian soldiers surrendering in Poland continued.
Once, the Slavic soldiers who had treaded on the land of Eastern Prussia as conquerors now walked the path of humiliation, begging for mercy. Germans who came out to watch spat and cursed at the prisoners.
Most of the prisoners resigned themselves to their fate and bowed their heads, but some officers did not. The proud descendants of nobility demanded fair treatment according to the “chivalrous spirit” and asked it of the German military.
Surprisingly, many of the German overseers took the demands of the Russian officers seriously. It was not because they suddenly found compassion in their hearts for the Russians.
The Baltic Germans and the Junkers, who were related to them, believed that their cousins should receive treatment befitting their status and lineage.
Of course, the leniency shown by the Junkers was limited to the same Germanic people with blood ties. Many German officers considered the Slavs to be an inferior race, unworthy of receiving the same treatment as Germans. This was an unavoidable issue until the sense of superiority, deeply ingrained in their bones, disappeared completely.
The overseers made the Russian prisoners sing songs to prove the superiority of the Germans. They wanted to find evidence that Germanic vocalization was superior to the inferior Slavic lineage. They wanted to confirm why the skeletal structure of the Germanic people was anatomically superior. They gave the prisoners strange tasks, with incomprehensible ideas like these.
Watching this absurd situation, the Russians sent a sarcastic remark, wondering what kind of treatment Helmut von Lennencamp, the commander of the 1st Army, would have received if he had survived and become a prisoner.
“Even if I don’t know if we lost the battle, I won’t submit to beasts like you below my level.”
The blatant discrimination by the Germans and the contemptuous gaze towards the Slavic people planted a strong sense of hostility in Cavalry Officer Petr Nikolavich Brangel.
Unlike other prisoners, Brangel never bowed his waist in front of the Germans. When they were in front of him, he stood tall, without even flinching. Even when he was washing his face, if a German appeared, he would lift his head and splash water on his face, soaking his clothes.
The Germans mocked him as a stubborn fool, but Brangel didn’t care. Because of this rigid attitude, he had to endure many more hardships in his daily life, but Brangel never uttered a word of complaint. His determination garnered considerable respect from the soldiers who despised “officers” for being prisoners due to their incompetence.
Considering that officers rarely received any special treatment among Russian prisoners, this was an exceptional occurrence.
The hellish march ended in Königsberg. The German authorities provided the prisoners with wood, iron fences, and a few bricks to build their own camp.
In return, they promised a slight improvement in their diet.
For the prisoners who had been receiving only black bread and a little potato soup, it was a story that could be considered a miracle.
In reality, the German army did keep their promise and shared the food they captured from the Russian army, such as small fish they themselves didn’t eat.
With numerous prisoners being put to work, the German army needed someone to manage the detainees.
At first, the Germans presented high-ranking Russian officers. They thought that their voices would be respected by the soldiers.
However, many prisoners showed strong resistance.
“We may not know about others, but we can never accept the command of generals again.”
Unable to do anything, the Germans had to present lower-ranking officers who wouldn’t provoke resistance. The prisoners pretended to listen to the officers, but in reality, they acted as they pleased and ignored them on the front lines. While many Russian officers tolerated this, the elite cavalry and noble officers were different.
“Have you forgotten your pride and posture as soldiers of the great Tsar just because you became German prisoners for a while? Educate them properly.”
Angered by this attitude, Russian officers obtained the consent of the German army and punished dishonorable soldiers with “taehyung” (a form of corporal punishment), but it only led to a large-scale backlash.
“Who gave you the right to punish our comrades as you please? We don’t remember giving you that authority!”
“Knock those arrogant bastards down!”
The soldiers rose up like a swarm and attacked the officers who wore the insignia of the so-called “representatives of the detainees”. Several people were killed or injured in the violence.
As the soldiers rioted, the Russian officers immediately requested assistance from the German army. The German army mercilessly suppressed the rebellious soldiers, accepting the need to maintain “order”. Dozens of victims were left dead with crushed heads.
However, the resistance continued, and the officers didn’t have the ability to handle it. With the ongoing chaos, the German army had no choice but to change their thinking.
“It seems that we can’t leave it to the incompetent Russian officers who can’t even earn their keep. Isn’t it easier to let the soldiers handle it themselves, even if they are dishonorable?”
Annoyed by the incompetence of the Russian officers, the German army selected a new representative from among the soldiers.
Among them was Brangel, who had gained popularity among the soldiers. The German supervisors despised Brangel, but knowing that it would be difficult to manage without him, they reluctantly granted him the position of a supervisor.
“In place of the Imperial War Minister of the German Empire, Lieutenant Brangel is appointed as the representative of the detainees.”
With this, Brangel now commanded more subordinates than when he served as a major in the Russian cavalry regiment. Ironically, even officers of higher rank now had to be mindful of him.
Some even approached Brangel, disregarding their own dignity, and tried to act friendly. They subtly suggested that if he respected their authority here, they would watch his back when they returned to Petrograd.
“What a ridiculous proposition.”
Brangel let out a scoff. He didn’t respect his subordinates who shamelessly begged. He preferred the officers who consistently ignored him.
When he brushed off their suggestions, some officers expressed their dissatisfaction by whispering to the soldiers behind Brangel, calling it the “shame of an officer” who flattered them.
However, Brangel regarded their words as nothing more than the “barking sound” of a defeated dog and showed no reaction at all.
Just as the prison camp was nearing completion, a new column of prisoners arrived from the south. They were soldiers from the 2nd Army of Samsonov.
The prisoners were greatly discouraged upon hearing the dismal news of Russia’s bitter defeat at the hands of their new comrades. The record-breaking defeat, which was more despairing than the one in Gumbinnen, raised doubts about whether Russia could defeat Germany.
“We lost this war, our Russia.”
“We have the same fighting spirit as those damn Germans, so why is there such a difference?”
“It’s a shame we can’t go back home quickly.”
They worried about what would happen to their homeland in the future. They sighed at the thought of their families and workplaces they left behind. As the atmosphere within the camp became gloomy, the former socialist soldiers raised their voices discreetly.
“We lost because of the incompetence of Tsar Nicholas. Think about it. Who would sincerely be loyal to a country that responds to the cries of its citizens with gunfire and oppression? Since the nation cannot unite, we cannot defeat Germany, and that’s why we’re losing. If we don’t get rid of Nicholas, our sons could end up like this.”
The soldiers found the argument, which they would not have listened to in normal circumstances, intriguing.
Of course, most of the privileged officers showed an enraged reaction to such talk.
“How dare you! Instead of being proud as the great subjects of the Russian Empire, you spew out such disloyal words? Isn’t it because of you damn mushrooms that we lost? You socialist scum who always complain but never do anything to ruin the country!”
“Oh, the noble Tsar who gives us pride? I’d like to meet such a great person. When he throws bombs! You bourgeois reactionaries who value bread so much.”
“You ungrateful dirty commie bastards! Going to Siberia and dying is patriotism for you scum. Just die!”
“The ones who should die are you parasites clinging to outdated ideals. How about hanging yourselves for the future of Mother Russia?”
Both sides snarled and tore at each other whenever they had a chance.
And as the conflict escalated, sparks flew to Brangel, who had a significant influence within the camp. The socialists appealed to Brangel for support.
“These people are creating a disgraceful scene, insulting the soldiers while boasting about the great Russia. Shouldn’t we crush them so they can’t hold their heads up? Please help us, Major.”
“I have no intention of getting involved in this matter.”
Brangel refused this demand in one word.
It was true that he was close to the soldiers, but that didn’t mean he was opposed to the regime.
In the first place, it would be even stranger if he, who had taken the elite course in the noble cavalry, opposed Char.
The socialists were furious at Brangel’s refusal. Those who had secretly considered him an ally, as he mixed with the soldiers while being part of the officer group, considered his answer a betrayal.
“Brangel is like an apology. On the outside, he pretends to be a red-painted imitation of our soldier people, but in reality, he is a pure white noble.”
When the socialists criticized Brangel, many of the soldiers who had secretly supported him came forward to defend him.
“Who do you reds think you are to insult Lieutenant? Lieutenant Brangel is someone who embodies the pride of the Slavic people. How dare those Germans who bow their heads in front of them insult him?”
The prisoners in the camp growled at each other, divided into several groups. One group supported the regime, another group were socialists, another group were Brangel’s followers, and the rest were indifferent onlookers.
The fierce quarrels among the Russian prisoners annoyed the German soldiers who were in charge of managing them. They couldn’t help but get irritated because there were fights and equipment was damaged every time. They didn’t want to pay much attention to the prisoner problem.
Meanwhile, rumors spread that an officer from the German Imperial War Ministry was going to inspect the camp.
Usually, those who didn’t care about the camp at all would also show their faces.
Brangel didn’t pay attention to the commotion caused by the supervisors, as he thought it was just a high-ranking German pig coming.
A day after the chaos, a car carrying an officer who had come from the Imperial War Ministry arrived at the camp. Lieutenant Georg von Quiller, a German officer who had graduated from the War Academy and become a staff officer, was a commander with a guaranteed future. Seeing that Quiller had a high chance of becoming the camp commander, Brangel was able to cooperate with him without much difficulty.
Quiller had a strong interest in the conversion and organization of prisoners, which he had planned under the Kaiser’s orders in the war ministry, so he was enthusiastic about this mission.
Soon after he appeared, the Russian prisoners were classified according to their nationality and political groups. According to this classification, their places of residence were rearranged and numbers were assigned to the clothes they received.
Quiller selected those among the groups who were particularly nationalistic or had a strong anti-regime tendency and persuaded them.
Soon, those who were persuaded received relatively better clothing and food in the camp, and if they requested, they were given slightly worn-out books or tools necessary for their hobbies. In return, they were made to write a loyalty oath to Germany every day.
At first, those who were persuaded pretended to live comfortably, but as they repeated the loyalty oath every day, they unknowingly began to change little by little.
They changed their minds, justifying the exchange of cheap and shoddy goods for their self-esteem by saying that they wanted to stand on Germany’s side from the beginning. It was a psychological means to protect themselves. This brainwashing method, which the communist army mainly used, was very effective in that it didn’t require any special tools or coercion.
Before long, the defectors began to make pro-German speeches and actions in the camp, proclaiming themselves as “winners.” Most of them showed contempt, but the defectors claimed that their actions were for “Russia or their own ethnic group.” Brangel felt contempt as he watched the attitude of these people who were deteriorating like this.
‘Socialists, liberals, nationalists – they’re all rotten. What kind of revolution is it that so easily falls into the hands of the Germans? What kind of independence is it?
The only thing that can save Russia is Great Russianism. Without unity, it is difficult to escape the fate of being slaves under the feet of the German pigs.’
Of course, this doesn’t mean that Brangel completely approves of the current regime. He believed that Russia, like powerful Germany, needs to adopt a power-oriented approach. He learned firsthand that without it, survival in this competition is impossible. In Gumbinnen, in Tannenberg.
That’s why all the incompetent and rotten people who are not qualified to sit at the head of the country had to be dismissed.
‘Only capable individuals should have the right to assist Tsar. If they are incapable, they should be killed or pushed out. Those who try to divide the nation should also be eliminated.’
While Brangel was trembling the traitors and solidifying his own ideology, he caught the attention of Quiller.
Quiller had known about Brangel’s influence from the beginning, but because he was highly antagonistic towards Germany, he had not attempted to make contact until now.
‘Brangel, this guy is quite an unusual friend. He is a noble cavalry officer, yet he is popular among the soldiers, and his attitude towards his superiors is disrespectful. He is in a position where he can choose left or right.
Judging from his attitude alone, it is unclear whether he is positive or negative about the regime, but judging from his rejection of the proposals of the socialists, it is highly likely that he is closer to the regime supporters.
Ideologically, he can be seen as right-wing. However, ideology is not important. As a political figure who can exercise influence over 100,000 prisoners as a single lieutenant, he is the most valuable asset we can have. If we can use him for our benefit, he will be an invaluable ally. How can we make use of him?’
Quiller called Brangel for a personal meeting. Although he was highly antagonistic towards Germany, Quiller believed that people can change as long as they are offered sufficient rewards.
Quiller proposed that if Brangel took up arms for Germany, he would form a legion, give him command, and support him to have a stable position in the future Russian nation.
Brangel’s response to Quiller’s proposal was cynical.
“Even if in Germany one can receive conditions and sell the country, I am someone who does not know how to sell what I cannot sell.”
“Didn’t you feel that the Russian Empire was destined to be defeated by us? Ending the war quickly from the side of the victors is also beneficial for the Russian people who shed blood in the war.”
“You should show us an example first and cooperate with Petrograd. Our Russia and our friends will win the war.”
Brangel had no intention of cooperating with Germany at all.
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Quiller pondered how he could use Brangel as a tool for Germany, but at this point, there was no room for utilization. It was indeed ridiculous to expect a German hater to cooperate with Germany.
However, just because he couldn’t use him today didn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t be able to do so tomorrow. The more cards one holds, whether it be for the nation or for oneself, the better. Quiller left a record in Brangel’s file, noting that he was a subject of special management.